Immigration officials visit Toowoomba to discuss visa issues

FOREIGNERS with visas that have expired or are about to expire can discuss their situation at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's (DIBP) outreach session in Toowoomba today.

"People must have a valid visa to remain in Australia," DIBP Deputy State Director Todd Jacob said.

"By attending one of the Department's outreach sessions, someone whose visa is about to expire or has already expired can get their visa status in order.

"Some people don't knowingly become unlawful. They may get confused about the date their visa expires. Others get incorrect advice from friends and family. And in some cases, people need practical assistance in returning to their home country."

A bridging visa is a temporary visa that allows a person to stay lawfully in the community, while they resolve their immigration status.

People can also get help if they want to return home but are unsure about how to do this.

The department can refer people to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) which is a free and independent service from Government.

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IOM can provide further specialist counselling and advice about returning home, including help obtaining travel documents, a passport, and plane tickets.

IOM may also be able to help with the costs of returning to a home country and in some cases, assistance in starting over.

The spokesperson said it was important for someone who was living unlawfully in Australia to come forward voluntarily rather than being caught in an Australian Border Force compliance operation which would see them detained and removed with a bill for the cost of their removal and a three year re-entry ban on returning to Australia.

"I strongly urge anyone who has overstayed their visa or has any questions about their visa situation to come and talk to immigration officers in a friendly, low-key environment when we come to a town near you," the spokesperson said.

"Anyone who comes along to these outreach sessions can do so anonymously, there is no requirement to identify yourself."

Session details:

Toowoomba - Tuesday 21 November

Toowoomba Centrelink

12-20 Bell Street (ground floor)

9am - 4pm

More information about visa overstaying is currently available from the Department's website www.border.gov.au/srs

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